Nature & Science
Three days ago, The Trustees of Reservations staff removed the last of the big old telephone poles delineating the parking lot at Wasque Point on Chappaquiddick, lest they lose them to the sea.
A week or so from now, the remaining half of the parking lot will probably be gone; the shoreline at Wasque has retreated almost 100 feet since early November, and continues to erode at a rate of about one foot per day.
How long might this go on?
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
March 4 34 15 .00
March 5 44 31 .00
March 6 52 43 .00
March 7 56 42 .25
March 8 43 27 .00
March 9 42 30 .00
March 10 43 36 .00
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F.
Every season of the year the Polly Hill Arboretum offers something of beauty and interest to visitors. On Saturday, March 12 join Arboretum staff for a look at plants of interest in the landscape. Although winter’s grip is slow to let go, by now there is a hint of spring in the air. Thanks to the diversity of the arboretum’s collection (more than 1,600 different types of plants!) there are bound to be signs of the season to come. The tour begins at 10 a.m. and runs for a little over an hour. Meet at the Visitor Center and dress for the weather. Tours are free.
“Raining robins” was how West Tisbury’s Pat Szucs described the scene in her yard last Sunday morning. A good-sized flock of these popular thrushes turned up there, socializing actively as they fed on juniper berries. Pat noted that robins have been scarce or absent in her yard for many weeks now, and her astute observation illustrates how one tells arriving migrant birds from individuals that have wintered here: The migrants simply behave differently, showing up in different places and displaying a much higher level of energy. Over-wintering birds are in survival mode, intent on staying sheltered and conserving energy; migrants are intent on moving, take more chances, and act a bit randy. I noted a similar flock of robins in Oak Bluffs the same day.
Shoreline change is a dynamic process, especially at Wasque, the southern part of Chappaquiddick, owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations. This shoreline is very dynamic, sometimes accreting rapidly and sometimes eroding rapidly. Wasque is now eroding rapidly — parking lots have eroded away this winter, leaving an almost unrecognizable beach. What is going on? Why is it eroding so much now? There are several factors that explain this change.
Passing through the second electronic security-armed gate on the way to Squibnocket it begins to dawn on you: This place is important.
Almanac
A comprehensive guide to weather and tides on the Island.
Vineyard Gardener
I guess this past week weather-wise is called a January thaw. We did not really experience it the last several years as December was unseasonably warm.
Farm & Field
Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.